BROOKVILLE, Ind. –The annual crop harvest coupled with the beginning of hunting and deer mating season makes deer movement more prominent.
Conservation officers say the number of car and deer collisions traditionally increase this time of year.
Motorists are reminded to use extra caution when driving in rural areas especially during the pre-dawn hours or the hours just after dusk.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers some precautions for area drivers:
- When possible use high beam headlights at night and be aware that deer could be standing on or near the side of the roadway.
- Drivers should watch approaching vehicles and observe what may break their headlights beams; it could be a passing deer. This technique allows extra time to slow your speed and be alert for the deer.
- Watch for reflections from the deer’s eyes.
- Where there is one deer there are often several. Do not assume you missed the deer because more could follow.
- If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch it. A frightened or wounded deer can cause you serious bodily injury. Remain in your car, make sure you and your passengers are safe, and call the police to obtain a crash report for your insurance company. You should report this as you would any other crash.
- Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.
State Farm released new data showing Indiana ranks 28th nationwide for deer collisions with the chances of a crash as 1 in every 172.
